" I would like to live in the same soil as my ancestors, and walk under their trees, and do what they did, and think their thoughts. " - Elizabeth Lawrence. After 4 decades in Sweet Home Chicago I moved to North Carolina where my first Irish ancestor landed in the early 1700's. I'm an artist, garden designer and grandma blogging about my life in this " Southern part of Heaven " as Chapel HIll is called.

Tra la, it's May ! The garden in my old Chicago home would be just beginning to emerge but here in Chapel Hill I have been gardening since March .

I added a rose arbor at the entrance and planted a 'lady banks ' rose which is yellow and thornless. I've added a circular lawn for my dog Duke and granddaughter Lea to romp and play on.

Fell in love with this fernspray japanese cypress with its golden arching branches.

Rescued this old rusty chair from the neighbor's trash.

Added some much needed seating . Planted two prunus mume, or Japanese apricot on each side of the chairs. When mature the trees will form a natural shade arbor. I love the prunus mume because it blooms in winter.

Painted a little garden quote on my new fence. On the left is one of the 7 birdhouses I've installed on the existing fence posts.